Massage Therapist Susan Ward has worn many hats since she became licensed in NYS in 1994—primarily as a teacher at the Swedish Institute in NYC and a practitioner in conjunction with chiropractors, physical therapists and acupuncturists working for Memorial Sloan-Kettering and Phelps Memorial Hospice. Now her primary focus is lymphatic drainage massage, a therapy she says many people don’t quite understand.

“The name ‘lymphatic drainage’ can't possibly describe the elegance and delicacy of such an important modality,” Ward says. While lymphatic drainage massage is best known for easing the symptoms of lymphedema—fluid retention and tissue swelling, often seen as a side effect of cancer treatment—the therapy also helps strengthen the immune system, she says.

“The lymphatic system is like the poor stepsister to the circulatory system,” she says. “Everyone knows the importance of heart health. But immunity is just as important. As we age, as we wish to heal from injury or just want to de-stress without the toxic effects of alcohol or chemicals, the best place to start is turning down your sympathetic nervous system. That’s one of the great things that lymphatic drainage massage does.” Ward says she wants to introduce as many people as she can to these benefits, so she’s offering low introductory rates as she builds her practice in Westchester.

Susan Ward practices lymphatic drainage massage at Bushen Healing in Bedford Hills, NY. Contact her at 917.626.6049 or [email protected].